Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Office of Grants and Research
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Office of Grants and Research
Fiscal Year 2023
Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program
Availability of Grant Funds
August 12, 2022
Charles Baker Karyn Polito
Governor Lieutenant Governor
Terrence M. Reidy Kevin Stanton
Secretary Executive DirectorCommonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
Office of Grants & Research
Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program
Availability of Grant Funds (AGF)
Due: September 2, 2022; 4:00 p.m.
Introduction
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Office of Grants and Research (OGR)
will make available approximately $2,500,000 in funding for law enforcement to establish and
implement body-worn camera (BWC) programs. Grants funds may be used to create a BWC
program or expand an existing BWC program. Please note OGR reserves the right to award more
or less applicants contingent upon availability of state funds.
Applicant Eligibility
Only a police department from a Massachusetts municipality (local unit of government) is eligible
to apply. Smaller law enforcement agencies (less than 50 sworn officers) may collaborate and
jointly submit one application under this grant program. Each department must assure that they
will provide:
copies of their Body Worn Camera (BWC) Wear Policy, and
collective bargaining approval or a statement about the status of achieving collective
bargaining approval.
If departments are applying jointly, one department must be designated as the lead agency and
will be responsible for managing and administering the grant program on behalf of all
collaborating law enforcement partners.
Previous BWC awardees who have yet to implement their BWC program due to unforeseen
challenges are eligible to submit for a new award under this solicitation. Also, awardees who
have successfully implemented their BWC program but have additional need (such as cameras
needed for new hires), may submit for additional funding under this solicitation.
Please note, applicants’ Acadis training records must be up to date within the Municipal Police
Training Committee (MPTC) Acadis Training Portal in order to be eligible for these funds. MPTC
will verify applicant compliance for OGR. Eligible police departments must also have a Civil
Rights Officer (CRO) and provide the CRO’s contact information on the application cover page.
Purpose
This grant opportunity is a competitive solicitation for local law enforcement agencies, within
Massachusetts, interested in planning and implementing a new BWC program or expanding an
existing BWC program in an effort to improve officer and community safety. The purpose of
funding is to improve public safety; enhance community-police relations; foster better
accountability for the actions of police personnel; deter inappropriate conduct by police officers
and members of the public; capture digital audio-video evidence for criminal, civil and traffic-
1related court cases; and to be used as a training tool for officer safety and best practices.
This is a targeted program to offset start-up costs for local law enforcement agencies and not
intended to cover replacement costs for existing programs. Departments interested in expanding
their existing BWC programs, however, may apply for funding to purchase additional equipment
to accommodate personnel that are not yet outfitted with the BWC technology.
Key Dates
AGF Posted August 12, 2022
Application Due Friday, September 2, 2022, 4:00 p.m.
Award Notification (Tentative) September 2022
Performance Period (Tentative) ~ October 2022-June 30, 2023
Application Requirements
Applicants shall submit a comprehensive deployment plan that must describe a deliberate and
phased plan to deploy BWC technology, as well as specific ways the proposed BWC program will
be used to enhance the applicant agency’s mission.
Previous FY2022 BWC applicants may use their prior application responses for this application, if
still accurate.
Applicants’ BWC proposal shall include the applicant’s plan for:
(1) the procurement of body-worn cameras and on-premises server(s) for video storage (grant
funded components);
(2) development of protocols for the use of cameras;
(3) addressing privacy protections;
(4) establishing a policy for retention of and access to video footage;
(5) training on the BWC program;
(6) reporting and program evaluation; and
(7) sustaining the program once grant funding is exhausted.
With regard to ensuring privacy concerning BWC video, it is imperative that the applicant’s plan
include a timeline for developing written BWC program video policies focusing on the following
areas:
• Video Capture (activation, deactivation, consent)
• Video Viewing (superior, officer, and critical incident review)
• Video Use (evidence, custodial interviews, intelligence)
• Video Release (public release, FOIA inclusion)
• Video Storage (categorizing, downloading, chain of custody, retention)
• Process/Data Audits & Controls (training, compliance monitoring, security, violations,
policy/program evaluation)
Maximum Award Amount
No award may exceed $250,000. For budgeting purposes, the anticipated average cost for a BWC
is approximately $1,000; the anticipated average cost for server(s) for video storage is
approximately $1,000 per BWC.
BWC Program Requirements
• Applicant law enforcement agencies who wish to purchase cameras must certify
2that they have/will have a written Body Worn Camera Wear Policy in effect for BWCs.
The BJA BWC Toolkit and our Massachusetts Law Enforcement Body Camera Task
Force’s Recommended Regulations for the Procurement and Use of Body Worn Cameras
provides model BWC policies and best practices to assist departments in implementing
BWC programs.
If one department is applying on behalf of multiple departments, each department included in
the application must provide a copy of their policy once finalized. Body Worn Camera Wear
Policies must be in place no later than 90 days after the execution of a grant award contract. This
requirement must be submitted prior to purchasing or spending any grant funds.
** Please note: OGR is not responsible for approving your BWC Wear Policy, one must be
submitted to confirm a policy is in place.
• Applicant law enforcement agencies must certify that the department is working in
good faith to achieve collective bargaining approval. If one department is applying on
behalf of multiple departments, each department included in the application must
certify and provide documentation of this requirement. Applicants must provide the
finalized collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or provide a description detailing a
department’s sustained good faith effort to reach CBA agreement within 90 days after
the execution of a grant award contract. This requirement must be submitted prior to
purchasing or spending any grant funds.
• Applicant law enforcement agencies must be up to date with their MPTC Acadis training
records. If one department is applying on behalf of multiple departments, each
department included in the application must be certified.
• Applicant law enforcement agencies must notify their local District Attorney’s office of
their intent to implement or expand a BWC program. If one department is applying on
behalf of multiple departments, each department included in the application must notify
their District Attorney’s Office of their BWC implementation plan.
• Applicant law enforcement agencies must provide an assurance that the applicant will
accept full responsibility to cover operational expenses outside the scope of the grant. If
one department is applying on behalf of multiple departments, each department included
in the application must accept the responsibility to cover expenses outside the scope of the
grant. (Note: It is estimated that one full-time support position is needed for every 75 officers using
body worn cameras and in-dash cameras. As this funding opportunity is for capital expenses only,
personnel expenses are unallowable and must be absorbed by the department.)
• These requirements must be in place before any funding will be approved.
Allowable Costs
This is a capital procurement and funding is limited to hardware purchases – BWCs and Servers.
Administrative costs are unallowable. Additional staffing and technology set-up costs will be the
responsibility of the applicant department.
Departments may apply for funding for the following items:
• Body-worn cameras and accessories, including mounting kits, tablets, field viewers,
microphone, battery pack, docking and charging stations; and
• On-premises server(s) for video storage only (NOTE: in lieu of procuring and maintaining
on-premises server(s), applicants may prefer to use “cloud” storage for BWC program
video storage, however, video storage service fees are unallowable costs under this grant
program).
3Budget Requirements
Applicants must provide a detailed budget for the BWC program. EOPSS/OGR will also provide
non-monetary technical assistance/support, as needed.
Before completing an application for this funding opportunity, applicants must consider and plan
for the full cost of implementing a comprehensive BWC program. This capital funding
opportunity will only cover hardware purchases and applicants must accept the necessary and
ongoing non-capital expenses to sustain the BWC program. Applicants must acknowledge that
they will absorb the ongoing BWC program costs.
Project Duration
Applicants must have their program completed by June 30, 2023. Funds will be use or lose. No
extensions will be permitted. The anticipated funding cycle for projects will be October 2022 and
end on June 30, 2023.
Fund Disbursement
This is a cost reimbursement grant. Reimbursement requests must be submitted to OGR on a
quarterly basis. Details about the reimbursement process will be provided upon award notice.
Subrecipient Requirements
Subrecipients must abide by the grant requirements below as well as the OGR Subrecipient Grant
Conditions, which will be provided at the time of contracting.
Grants Management
If awarded, OGR requires:
• OGR subrecipient grant conditions to be signed and dated.
• The submission of satisfactory and timely progress reports and quarterly financial
reports. OGR will provide performance measures on which subrecipients must report.
• Cooperation during OGR monitoring endeavors, including site visits, desk reviews,
and attendance at technical assistance meetings.
• All costs paid with grant funds are direct and specific to the implementation of the
BWC grant-funded project.
• Subrecipients must accept their award no later than 30 days from the award date.
Failure to accept a grant award within the 30-day timeframe may result in a loss of
funds.
Procurement
• Procurement of services, equipment, and supplies must follow M.G.L. Ch. 30B for local
units of government.
• It is the responsibility of the subrecipient to report alleged waste, fraud or abuse
including any alleged violations, serious irregularities, sensitive issues or overt or
covert acts involving the use of public funds in a manner not consistent with related
laws and regulations, and appropriate guidelines for purposes of the grant.
4Such concerns should be made to the Offices of the Massachusetts Inspector General or State
Auditor at:
Office of the Inspector General
John W. McCormack State Office Building
One Ashburton Place, Room 1311
Boston, MA 02108
800-322-1323
IGO-FightFraud@state.ma.us
Office of the State Auditor
Massachusetts State House, Room 230
Boston, MA 02133
617-727-2075
Auditor@SAO.state.ma.us
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-waste-and-abuse
Application Questions
Pease submit all questions regarding this AGF via email to Samantha.frongillo@mass.gov
Questions received on or before August 24th will be posted with responses for public viewing at:
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/justice-and-prevention-grants.
Application Template Instructions
To provide OGR the best opportunity to fairly evaluate all requests for funding, applicants are
encouraged to be clear and concise in their proposals.
The Application Template must be completed as outlined in this section. Applications submitted without a
signature from the Senior/Municipal Department Official will be considered invalid and may not be
reviewed for funding.
Section I. Applicant Template Information
Police Department’s Contact and Fiscal Information
• Indicate Police Department name, address, department signatory, grant point of
contact, civil rights officer and finance officer contact information.
• Also, indicate the exact amount of grant funds (up to $250,000) being requested.
Program Summary
• Provide brief summary of the proposed goods (equipment and/or technology) to be
funded through this application (1000 characters).
Police Department Official/Assurances
• Submitted application must be signed by the Senior/Municipal Department Official
of the Police Department identified on the application. By signing and submitting
the application, the Senior/Municipal Department Official assures that the BWC
grant program requirements are/will be met.
5Section II. Narrative Template
The application narrative template is comprised of three sections: Needs Assessment, Project
Description, and Implementation Plan/Timeline.
Needs Assessment
Applicants will be asked to provide department metrics and current/planned BWC program
status within the agency.
Helpful Hint: This will likely be a very competitive process. The peer reviewers will prioritize funding for
applicants that clearly justify the need for all items being requested.
Project Description
Applicants will be asked to thoroughly describe the goods to be purchased and their BWC
implementation plan.
Implementation Plan, Timeline and Person Responsible
Applicants will be asked to discuss their management and implementation plan for the proposed
project period.
Additional Documentation/Other Materials
If available at time of application submission, please include with your application the
following required materials (otherwise, the completed documentation must be submitted no
later than 90 days after execution of award contract):
• Evidence of buy-in from the union or documents demonstrating sustained good faith effort
to reach union agreement for a BWC program within the department.
• Copy of applicant law enforcement agency’s Body Worn Camera Wear Policy.
Section III. Budget Narrative Summary and Budget Excel Worksheet
The Budget Narrative Summary (template) should outline the budget requested and itemize the
purchases as described in this application. Applicants may submit a budget for expenditures prior
to June 30, 2023. Applicants must also complete a Budget Excel Worksheet (refer to Attachment
B). Please be sure to complete both (Excel tabs) the Summary tab and Details tab and submit with
your application response.
6Budget Cost Categories
Allowable Budget
Definitions
Cost Categories
Contract Costs Contractor fees associated with the equipment/technology purchased
(e.g., installation). Provide a description of the product/services to be
procured by contract and an estimate of the cost. Applicants should
use a competitive process for procurements compliant with the
organization's own procurement policy.
Equipment/Technology Tangible non-expendable personal property having a useful life of
Costs more than one year; cost based on c lassification of equipment.
Supplies Supplies directly correlated to the equipment purchased/program
implementation (e.g., batteries, expendable items, license keys etc.)
Other Costs List items by major type and the basis of the computation.
Unallowable Costs
Some examples of unallowable costs are:
• Warranties that extend beyond one year (unless included with equipment costs)
• Training
• Overtime
• Leasing of equipment
• Cloud storage (i.e., evidence.com)
Review Process
This is a competitive grant and will be subject to a peer review process. It is the intent of OGR to
distribute funding equitably and geographically throughout the Commonwealth. Prior applicants
may use responses from their previously submitted application. All applications will be reviewed
and scored by three peer reviewers.
Please refer to BWC PDF Application (Attachment A) that shows how scoring points are
distributed.
Notification of Awards
Funding decisions are at the discretion of the Executive Director of OGR and Secretary of Public
Safety and Security. Awards may provide applicants with full or partial funding, based on
reviewers’ recommendation, availability of funds, and to ensure equitable distribution of funds
throughout the Commonwealth. It is anticipated that the BWC Program grant awards will be
announced in September 2022.
Note: In an effort to assist as many communities as possible, departments are encouraged to submit reasonable
and cost-effective requests. EOPSS/OGR retains the right to partially fund departments in an effort to award
additional departments throughout the Commonwealth that reviewers recommend for funding.
7Submission Process and Deadline
Please email all required Application documents as listed below no later than 4:00 p.m. on
September 2, 2022 to Samantha.frongillo@mass.gov. Include the applicant name in the subject
line.
o Attachment A: Application Template as a fillable PDF (digitally signed), if
applicant prefers to sign with a “wet signature”, please scan just the signature page
and send as a separate attachment.
o Attachment B: Budget Excel Workbook
o Attachment C: Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing (CASL)
o Documentation/Letter(s) of Commitment
Collective bargaining approval or documents demonstrating sustained good
faith effort to reach union agreement for a BWC program.
Body Worn Camera Wear Policy (if available).
Additional Material (optional)– relevant BWC policies and procedures.
Please refer to our OGR Signature Policy for accepted forms of signatures.
Adobe Reader version 9.5 or higher is necessary to open, complete, and save the Application
Template as a PDF. Adobe may be downloaded at http://get.adobe.com.
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